Dad drew son into £30m drug racket

THREE drug smugglers have been locked up for a total of 23 years after they imported £30 million of cannabis into South Yorkshire disguised as tractor parts.

Christopher Hodgson, aged 46, his son Shaun Hodgson, 20 and employee Justin Organ, 37, shipped “tonnes and tonnes” of cannabis skunk and resin from Holland to addresses around Doncaster in a “sophisticated and organised” scam.

Shaun Hodgson, of High Street, Barnby Dun, will serve three years in a young offender’s institution.

Organ, of Marlowe Road, Barnby Dun, was jailed for nine years.

Malcolm Bragg, assistant director for the Border Agency’s criminal and financial investigation team, said he wanted the convictions to act as a warning to potential drug smugglers.

“This was a significant seizure that reflects the robust controls we have in place at the UK border backed by dedicated criminal investigation teams who are vital in bringing these criminals to justice.

“Cannabis wrecks the lives not only of individual users but also their families and the wider community.

“The supply of the drug also fuels organised crime as this case shows.”